Beautiful Boy explores a father’s relationship with his addicted son, and how he copes with the ordeals of being a parent.
David Sheff recounts how his son’s addiction to methamphetamine affected his life for many years. He suggested it all started with his divorce with his wife, Vicki, leaving his son, Nic, depressed as he grow up, he begins the typical surly teenage attitude. However, things take a turn for the worse as Nic begins to stop doing as well in school and loses interest in his extra-curricular sports activities.
Sheff realizes that Nic is abusing drugs, though he persistently denies it. Nonetheless, Nic is admitted to rehab, but soon relapses. This continues for many years, causing strain to Nic and his father’s relationship. Sheff reflects on his own guilt and denial over his son’s addiction, placing a huge amount of the blame on himself. However, after the stress of Nic’s ordeals causes his brain to hemorrhage, Sheff realizes that he cannot control his son's addiction and can only hope one day he will make a full recovery.
